To understand Caribbean integration, we must first understand the Caribbean’s history, specifically the movement and settlement of different groups within our region. The Caribbean’s history is one that is rich culturally, and while this might be great in diversity it is wherein our greatest problem lies. All nation states that identify or that are classified as Caribbean are not homogenous. Many states share the common experience of enslavement; however, the number of settlers and the length of time they colonized for, played one of the greatest roles in shaping the Caribbean we know today. Different colonizers brought with them a myriad of cultures and as such government structures varied from ‘colony’ to ‘colony’. Globalization within the Caribbean can be dated to an “estimated arrival time is about 5,000 B.C (7000 B>P/ Before Present)” (Watson 1). In relation to this definition, early globalization can be linked to the three G’s governing Spain’s desire to conquer the world; that being ‘Gold, Glory, God’. Globalization can be defined as, “… the spatial expansion and social deepening of economic liberal definitions of social purpose and possessively individualist patterns and actions of politics.” (Gill). According to Gill, one of the main reasons for globalization was to promote economic growth and development, the desire for a better life as in the case of the first wave of migrants to the Caribbean who crossed the Bering Strait. 

Why is it some individuals have issues living in harmony and integrating with each other? Our history is one that is so rich in culture, there were many instances of segregation between individuals and unspoken rivalries between Caribbean member states. The Europeans, being the region the colonizers came from, when they came to the Caribbean they separated individuals based on the amount of money they owned and during the period of Chattel slavery the Caribbean was segregated as a result of Pigmentocracy (being division of individuals in a given area based on their ascribed skin colour where in the Caribbean, The Whites were highest, The Mulattoes or mixed persons in the middle and the West African enslaved at the bottom for being the darkest). In present times, Caribbean countries for example Trinidad and Tobago are now divided based on meritocracy (status being achieved based on educational pursuits) and economic status. This same ideology has been translated among Caribbean states, wherein some are classified as more developed than others based on their economic earnings, as well as the level of industrialization and technological advancement available. “…because of important differences between industrialized countries and underdeveloped countries the economics and politics of regional integration follow different dynamics.” (Axline, 1978). As a result of this integration has always been one of the biggest challenges for the Caribbean as many states have a differing financial capacity. One of the earliest attempts at regional integration can be dated back to the West Indies Federation in 1958. Set in an era of pre independence there was internal political instability which was the main reason for the destruction of the union as Dr. Williams rightly said “I from 10 is naught” (1962) referring to Jamaica pulling out of the agreement. This failure may have set the tone for the lack of extreme success of many attempts at integration within the region. 

Before an individual is considered a national, they are a part of a community or a household; so too Caribbean identity applies. Before we can be global citizens, we must be Caribbean citizens and proud of our identity to be able to withstand the forces of cultural imperialism and assimilation in the global village. Regional integration is one of the key aspects that can be used in the modern-day Caribbean to aid in boosting our development processes.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”, Aristotle wisely noted centuries ago and this profound statement can be applied to our Caribbean development. As small island states we are placed at a great disadvantage individually in the global market; as our resources cannot compare to those main rival economic agents such as China, India, the United States and Europe. Individually the competition would destroy our economies at it greatly disadvantages our exchange rate which greatly affects trade, politics and all aspects of our lives. Unifying as a Caribbean region would have immense benefits for us as consumers of global products. The CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) & Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA) is an arrangement among the CARICOM States for the creation of a single enlarged economic space through the removal of restrictions resulting in the free movement of goods, services, people, capital and technology. As our regional community develops because of this, the CSME with the help of local governments (Caribbean member states) can create a dollar that would be accepted within the Caribbean region, go on to the global market and compete with the other economic forces. With this, member states would not have to worry about Floating Exchange Rate as it states would be using the Caribbean dollar and its rate would be fixed by a financial council and the market forces. Our issue currently with integrating mainly for economic benefits is that Caribbean countries want to exercise dirigisme (Axline 953) rather than cooperative efforts at tackling globalization.

Our Caribbean identity is what we have to lose if we do not join forces together to be recognized as one Caribbean entity. Education is one of the main agents of socialization and it is primary in the dissemination of cultural information as well academic knowledge. Up until 1972 Caribbean nationals were subject to a European standard of learning with a syllabus completely ignoring the Caribbean’s contribution in the global society as well as the historical processes of Caribbean states which, when understood helps individuals gain an appreciation and understanding of what it means to be Caribbean. One of the most important regional bodies responsible for the integration of Caribbean citizens through education would be the Caribbean Examinations Council most commonly known as CXC. This body for over 40 years has been one of the driving forces for a locally and regionally sensitive curriculum which accounts and take into consideration the Caribbean’s identity first, notwithstanding the importance outside forces had in shaping our history. CXC is a prime example of integration playing a part for our regional development. In the case of economics, CXC generates thousands of dollars every year for the region from the registration of students to write the examinations. Had it not been for this regional body, throughout the years millions of our dollars would have been deposited to England for the General Certificate of Education (GCE examinations) and the United States for examinations such as SAT for college education. Over the years, CXC has developed a brand for itself as one of the most recognized examinations abroad and locally as it relates to an academic standard of Caribbean individuals’ academic capabilities. With an education system that is able to compete internationally it has aided in developing Caribbean states making students able to adopt to the global community as it relates to education while having an appreciation for Caribbean culture which in turn shapes a holistic individual. In 1948 the University of the West Indies was created though it did not always go by that name as it was an extension of the University of London. As time progressed, independence came to the institution and we were able to have the UWI that we know today. With 3 mainland campuses in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados with the recent installation of the UWI Open Campus. This institution is one of the top universities within the Caribbean and Latin America, a milestone that is possible because of the unique education being provided and the high quality of students the university produces at the end of one’s degree program. The UWI allows for students to mix with other Caribbean nationals, develop a first hand Caribbean cultural experience while attaining an education that prepares students for life outside of the university’s campus walls. Having this well-established institution within the Caribbean it has helped in alleviating brain drain where students leave the region to study abroad. It has been alleviated by the wide selection of programs available to study to suit the career desires of every individual.

The question being asked here is really, should we be Caribbean or global citizens? The answer is we should be both. Firstly, we must become Caribbean citizens before we become global citizens because, as a unit, we must recognize who we are to avoid being disadvantaged in the sea of cultures in the global area. However, we cannot isolate ourselves for the sake of cultural preservation but we must continuously preserve our cultural expression through our regional festivals and events such as Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA), one of the best cultural festivals in providing a catalyst for regional integration among Caribbean nationals. 

Notwithstanding this debate, being members of the global village is not necessarily an issue for the Caribbean as we are not able to mass produce some of the items or materials needed for the development of our region and we must rely on global neighbours for assistance. Geographically the Caribbean is located within the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) thus making us even more susceptible to extreme natural disasters specifically during the hurricane season. As small island states, our resources are not enough to constantly rebuild our homes and societies and as such we rely heavily on the donations and assistance of the more developed nations and global institutions such as the United Nations, World Bank and International Monetary fund for financial and physical aid. As such it can be noted that there is a need for interdependence of states within the global community and the region.

“Combine our economy, constantly fight poverty, to be strong we must bond, we remain divided too long” (Liberator 1990). The theme of Caribbean unity is one that has been within our society for many years. In our modern- society Caribbean integration does have a great significance and relevance for our region’s development. To be effective participants in the global market it is of highest importance that we come together as a region. To be truly global we must understand our identity and what we can do for ourselves as a region before we turn to the global village.